Maryam backs 'tit-for-tat' response in assault cases

Expresses intention to approach chief justices over grant of bail

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday endorsed a retaliatory response to assaults, saying she had advised a woman attacked while riding a scooter to slap her assailant back.

Addressing a Honhaar Scholarship and laptop distribution ceremony at the University of Rasul in Mandi Bahauddin, the CM vowed that influential offenders would face the law regardless of their wealth or connections, including those belonging to her own party.

She said the government stood with victims and would not compromise on the dignity of poor citizens.

"Governing through fear is not governance; keep one principle and remain consistent," she said, stressing that political influence would not shield anyone from accountability.

Referring to an incident in Lahore in which a man assaulted a woman riding a scooter, the chief minister said she had advised the victim to return as many slaps as she had received. The incident involved a man who overtook the woman on a busy road, positioned his motorcycle in front of her two-wheeler and attacked her.

Police arrested the man with the help of footage and data from dozens of cameras operated by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority. A court subsequently ordered his release if he was not wanted in any other case.

CM Maryam also cited an assault on an employee at a petrol pump in Jubilee Town. The victim had reportedly asked a customer not to smoke on the premises, after which the man allegedly stepped out of his sports utility vehicle, thrashed him and fled.

The chief minister said she had taken a similar position in that case, expressing concern that accused persons often secured bail soon after their arrest.

"I will meet the chief justice of the Lahore High Court so that at least the offender receives a punishment that makes him feel ashamed when he steps outside the next day," she said. The CM added that she would also approach the chief justice of Pakistan if necessary.

She urged those who harmed women and children to abandon the criminal behaviour, warning that wealth and influence would not put offenders beyond the reach of the law. Recalling a fatal incident in Multan in which a man ran over an orphan teenager, the CM said the incident continued to haunt her.

She also linked her government's commitment to public welfare with its education initiatives, saying scholarships and laptops were being distributed strictly on merit.

She said students would receive laptops, scholarships and access to electric buses, urging them to remain loyal to Pakistan in return.

Separately, in a social media post, Chief Minister Maryam announced criminal and departmental proceedings against a Sub-Inspector, Awais Arshad, over allegations that he had slapped a citizen during a hotel inspection.

The officer had been at the hotel for verification when the alleged assault occurred, she said. An FIR was registered against him, he was arrested and suspended from service, and a charge sheet was issued to initiate departmental disciplinary proceedings.

The CM said strict accountability was being pursued to prevent the misuse of authority and safeguard citizens' dignity, honour and rights.